Singing with Michael Z.

MICHAEL Z., baritone, hails from San Antonio, TX. After receiving his education from both Texas Tech University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, he began teaching in the classroom... working with public schools, private schools, and non-profit organizations. Having worked with the SA Youth Centers from 2001-2003, he was instrumental in the organization receiving grants supporting the Arts, and worked alongside the VH1 Save the Music Foundation and many local music schools to enhance music education for at-risk and underprivileged youth. From 2003-2006, Michael served as a clinician for the Northeast Independent School District (San Antonio) and taught in many of their adult education and continued education classes. Continuing music education in the classroom, Michael taught at TMI: The Episcopal School of Texas as the assistant choir director from 2006-2009. As a performer, Michael has sang with the San Antonio Opera, the San Antonio Symphony Mastersingers, the San Antonio Chamber Choir, the Texas Bach Choir, the Texas Mid-Symphony Orchestra, and IlluMen. In 2010, Michael performed at Carnegie Hall and has also traveled extensively, performing in both Mexico and Europe. As a member of the San Antonio Chamber Choir, he was part of the featured ensemble in the 2011 CD entitled, 'Spanish and Mexican Cathedral Music' and the 2013 CD entitled, 'Choral Music of Andrew Rindfleisch.' Michael serves as the section leader/soloist at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio, TX. Upcoming engagements include a performance at TCDA in July and the release of his first CD entitled, 'This is the Moment,' in mid 2014. *** Lesson Details *** Lessons consist of a 3-part progression: Music Theory, Vocalization, Selected (Song) Studies. Music Theory is imperative to learn if one is to truly understand the rules of music. This is comparable to learning a foreign language or taking a math class. Everything builds in a progressive manner. Within 1-3 years (depending on the age of the student), one can expect to have learned the equivalent of (music theory) what an incoming freshman in college would have learned. Vocalization is quite important in the development of ones range, flexibility, and response. Vocalization is comparable to warming-up and stretching before doing an activity. The music that is studied during the course of ones lessons are comprised of many different genres. A well-rounded singer should be exposed to THE BEST of all the different facets of music in the industry (Jazz, Opera, Pop, Musical-Theatre, Art, Standard, etc.). Only by learning how each style relates to the other can a student truly be versatile enough to "sing it all." Specializations come with time and experience... just as anything in life.